West University
1988
Annual Narrative
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
In March, work was completed on a: new parking lot outside our building on Milton
Then, in the fall, West University Baptist Church completed work on their
new Milton Street parking lot and made it available to the public on non-church days.
During much of 1988, we reported various roof leaks to the City. For various
including problems with insurance requirements, the City of West University
did not award the contract for a new roof until late October. By then, fche (problem
the carpet and
Several times during October
many rolls of
West University and Central
staff fought the episodes of deluge. City workers were kept busy, too, emptying 30
gallon drums which filled quickly every time it rained. By early November
able to put that wet chapter of branch history behind us when the new roof was com¬
pleted and pronounced 100% leakproof.
After the roof was done, painters moved in to redo the building’s exterior trim.
Painted a new color of chocolate brown, the trim now contrasts nicely with the tan
brickwork. At the same time, landscape work was done on the grassy area between our
building and the Community Center, including a new concrete ramp and bicycle rack
adjoining the library. Additional work, including sidewalks near the curbside of
Auden Street, will be done in 1989.
certain bookshelves were drenched with rain. Using wit
dehumidifiers and leak buckets
plastic sheeting
Disaster struck again in new form on December 1st when the Milton Street bookdrop
was destroyed in an automobile accident. Insurance funds have been procured to order
a replacement bookdrop due to arrive some time in early 1989.
In mid -December , both floors had their tile ceilings completely replaced. This
renovation, which had been requested for many years
of the leaky roof. When all the year’s building work was done, the improvements were
plain for all' to see. Our facilities are now safer, cleaner and more appealing to the
was sorely needed after the saga
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
The Friends group held two booksales this year, raising almost $800.00. Another
$1,600.00 came in via memberships and donations. Many trips to Bookstop, Crown and
Richardsons were afforded with these funds. Bestsellers and children’s books were
the most common purchases. Friends again provided the fees for reading club and other
children’s entertainment programs. An annual circular /newsletter , the second such
annual effort, was distributed in early 1988.
COMPUTER NEWS
We went to a fully automated reserves system in March of 1988. Though there
have been some unexplainable glitches and other problems with the software, using the
Holds system has improved our level of reserve book service.
In September, new circuit boards were installed throughout the Doelz network.
There were many problems with the boards. For much of the month, the computer system
was very slow or unavailable. When all was resolved, West University ended up in a
new, more compact Doelz network (Net 4) , in line with Bear Creek, Spring Branch and
Bookmobile. Since then, down time and the length of healing times have been greatly
shortened.
A fall U.TLAS
„
software update
T01., improved transaction time because it eliminated
the need for constant password commands. That was a change which staff had requested
When the change came, it was greatly appreciated. Patrons also noticed
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and commented on the faster checkout service.
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